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Melinda French Gates Reflects on Hidden Breaches That Prompted Her Divorce

External betrayals spurred an inner knowing that Melinda French Gates says she could no longer ignore.

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Melinda French Gates revealed her decision to divorce Bill Gates stemmed from personal revelations about the marriage. REUTERS/Kamil Zihnioglu/Pool/File Photo (REUTERS)
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Overview

  • In a July 2025 podcast appearance, Melinda French Gates revealed that doubts stemming from out-of-marriage breaches led her to decide to end her 27-year marriage to Bill Gates.
  • She described pushing away an “inner voice” for years under the weight of family obligations and their shared work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Melinda cited reports of Bill Gates’s alleged affair and his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein as key factors eroding trust in their relationship.
  • The former couple continues to co-lead major global health and gender equality programs through their foundation despite their personal split.
  • After departing the foundation in 2024, Melinda has focused on her Pivotal Ventures initiative and women’s empowerment advocacy while co-parenting their three adult children.